
The Ultimate Rolex Reference Numbers Guide
What Is A Rolex Reference Number?
Among all the numbers and codes that come with Rolex watches, its reference number is one of the most important ones to know. A Rolex reference number can reveal plenty of information about the watch including model type, material, production period, and more. The primary purpose of a Rolex reference number is to indicate the model of the watch. In fact, the reference number is also known as the model number or style number. Therefore, the reference number will tell you if the watch is a Submariner, Datejust, Day-Date, Yacht-Master, and so on. Below is a Rolex reference numbers chart outlining the starting digits of the reference number according to model type.
Rolex Reference Number Model Chart
Model | Reference Number Starting Digits | Examples |
---|---|---|
Air-King | 55-, 140-, 114-, 116- | Air-King ref. 114200 Air-King ref. 116900 |
Date | 15-, 150-, 115- | Date ref. 1500 Date ref. 115200 |
Datejust 31 | 68-, 782-, 1782-, 2782- | Datejust ref. 17827 Datejust ref. 178240 |
Datejust 36 | 66-, 16-, 162-, 1162-, 1262- | Datejust ref. 116233 Datejust ref. 126234 |
Datejust II | 1163- | Datejust ref. 116334 |
Datejust 41 | 1263- | Datejust ref. 126301 |
Day-Date 36 | 65-, 18-, 180-, 182-, 183-, 1182-, 1282- | Day-Date ref. 128238 Day-Date ref. 118239 |
Day-Date II | 2182- | Day-Date ref. 218235 |
Day-Date 40 | 2282- | Day-Date ref. 228239 Day-Date ref. 228206 |
Daytona | 62-, 165-, 1165- | Daytona ref. 16528 Daytona ref. 116500 |
Explorer | 61-, 63-, 66-, 10-, 142-, 1142-, 2142- | Explorer ref. 14270 Explorer ref. 214270 |
Explorer II | 165-, 2165- | Explorer II ref. 16570 Explorer II ref. 216570 |
Lady-Datejust | 679-, 791-, 1791-, 2791- | Lady-Datejust ref. 179171 Lady-Datejust ref. 279163 |
Milgauss | 65-, 10-, 1164- | Milgauss ref. 1019 Milgauss ref. 116400 |
Oyster Perpetual | 176-, 177-, 116-, 114- | Oyster Perpetual ref. 114300 Oyster Perpetual ref. 116000 |
Sea-Dweller | 16-, 166-, 1166-, 1266- | Sea-Dweller ref. 116600 Sea-Dweller ref. 126603 |
Submariner | 55-, 140-, 1140- | Submariner ref. 14060 Submariner ref. 114060 |
Submariner Date | 16-, 166-, 168-, 1166- | Submariner ref. 16610 Submariner ref. 116618 |
GMT-Master | 65-, 167- | GMT-Master ref. 1675 GMT-Master ref. 16700 |
GMT-Master II | 167-, 1167-, 1267- | GMT-Master II ref. 116718 GMT-Master II ref. 126710 |
Oysterquartz | 170-, 190- | Oysterquartz ref. 17014 Oysterquartz ref. 19018 |
Yacht-Master 29 | 696-, 1696- | Yacht-Master ref. 69622 Yacht-Master ref. 169623 |
Yacht-Master 31 | 686-, 1686- | Yacht-Master ref. 68628 Yacht-Master ref. 168622 |
Yacht-Master 37 | 268- | Yacht-Master ref. 268621 |
Yacht-Master 40 | 166-, 1166-, 1266- | Yacht-Master ref. 126655 Yacht-Master ref. 116622 |
Yacht-Master 42 | 2266- | Yacht-Master ref. 226659 |
Yacht-Master II | 1166- | Yacht-Master II ref. 116680 |
Sky-Dweller | 326- | Sky-Dweller ref. 326934 |
Depending on the era, Rolex reference numbers can be four to six digits long. Early in Rolex’s history, reference numbers were four digits long. In the late-1970s, Rolex began switching to five-digit reference numbers and by the end of the 1980s, all reference numbers were that long. Around the 2000s, Rolex transitioned to six-digit reference numbers, often just adding a “1” to the beginning of the five-digit reference numbers. Therefore, a Rolex reference number can also tell you the approximate era a watch was made in.
Generally speaking, although there are some exceptions, the length of the Rolex reference number indicates the following:
- Four-Digit Reference numbers: Vintage Rolex watch produced prior to the late-1970s
- Five-Digit Reference numbers: Discontinued Rolex watch produced anywhere from the late-1970s until 1999
- Six-Digit Reference: Modern Rolex watch produced anywhere from 2000 to present
A Rolex reference number engraved between the lugs right above the 12 o’clock location on the side of the case.
Rolex Reference Numbers Indicate Case Materials and Bezel Style
While the first few digits denote the model type, the last digit in five and six-digit Rolex reference numbers (not four-digit ones) indicates the material of the watch.
Rolex Material Codes
Material Code | Material | Example |
0 | Stainless Steel (Also known as Oystersteel) | GMT-Master II ref. 116710 |
1 | Two-Tone Steel & Everose Gold (Also known as Everose Rolesor) | Datejust II ref. 126331 |
2 | Stainless Steel & Platinum (Also known as Rolesium) | Yacht-Master ref. 126622 |
3 | Two-Tone Stainless Steel & Yellow Gold (Also known as Yellow Rolesor) | Submariner ref. 116613 |
4 | Stainless Steel & White Gold (Also known as White Rolesor) | Datejust ref. 116264 |
5 | 18k Everose Gold (Rolex’s patented rose gold alloy) | Sky-Dweller ref. 326935 |
6 | 950 Platinum | Day-Date ref. 228206 |
7 | 14k Yellow Gold | Date ref. 15037 |
8 | 18k Yellow Gold | Daytona ref. 116508 |
9 | 18k White Gold | GMT-Master II ref. 126719 |
The second-to-last digit in a five or six-digit Rolex reference number can also indicate the bezel style of the watch. But this is only applicable to Rolex dress watches such as the Datejust, Date, Day-Date, and Oyster Perpetual. This does not apply to Rolex sports watches such as the Rolex Submariner, GMT-Master, Explorer, Daytona, and so on.
Most Common Rolex Bezel Codes
Code | Bezel Style | Example |
0 | Smooth/Domed | Datejust II ref. 116300 |
1 | Engine-Turned | Date ref. 15210 |
3 | Fluted | Datejust II ref. 126334 |
6 | Turn-O-Graph | Datejust “Turn-O-Graph” ref. 116264 |
From left to right: domed bezel, engine-turned bezel, fluted bezel, and Turn-O-Graph bezel
Finally, some Rolex reference numbers also include letters at the end. These letters are abbreviations to signify either the color of the bezel or the types of gems used in the bezel. There is one instance where the letters refer to the color of the sapphire crystal. Since most of these abbreviations are in French, we have included the translations and abbreviation meanings below.
Rolex Reference Letters Codes
Letters | Meaning & Translation | Example |
LN | Lunette Noir Black Bezel | Submariner ref. 116613LN |
LV | Lunette Verte Green Bezel | Submariner ref. 116610LV |
LB | Lunette Bleu Blue Bezel | Submariner ref. 116618LB |
CHNR | Chocolate-Noir Brown-Black | GMT Master II ref. 126715CHNR |
BLNR | Bleu-Noir Blue-Black | GMT Master II ref. 126710BLNR |
BLRO | Bleu-Rouge Blue-Red | GMT Master II ref. 126710BLRO |
SARU | Saphirs-Rubis Sapphires-Rubies | GMT-Master II ref. 116758SARU |
SANR | Sapphirs Noir Black Sapphires | GMT-Master II ref. 116759SANR |
SABR | Sapphirs-Brilliants Sapphires-Diamonds | Submariner ref. 116659SABR |
RBOW | Rainbow Multi-colored Sapphires | Daytona ref. 116595RBOW |
GV | Glace Verte Green Crystal | Milgauss ref. 116400GV |
(Left) Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 116710BLNR (Middle) Submariner Date Ref. 116659SABR (Right) Milgauss Ref. 116400
Appreciating The Rolex Reference Number
As you can see, once you understand the Rolex reference number structure, it is easier to recognize the details of a specific watch such as the type of materials Rolex uses to manufacture the watch, type of bezel, dial color, and which model you have. Rather than a random string of digits and letters, the reference number is a code that once understood, can help to reveal the model, era, material, and bezel style of a Rolex watch and even help one decide on which specific watch they would like to purchase.